Christmas comes early in Marlboro Township

Christmas on the Square in Marlboro came early this year on Nov. 22. It was the third annual affair held by the Marlboro Township Historical Society (MTHS) and the community. 

There was music, a tree lighting, festive food from area restaurants, a nativity and more, all of it free to attendees. The weather was relatively mild, which helped swell the crowd to the largest in the three years it has been done. Estimates ran up to 1,500 people. 

Vondea Sheaffer, president of MTHS, stated, “Proceeds reached over $10,700 which will be used for the causes championed by MHTS.”

The event began with the arrival of Santa at the Marlboro Township Firehouse, at which time there was the community tree lighting. Santa then headed to Tarter Realty in the church, where he could visit with the children. The Christmas Trees Silent Auction also took place in the church. The Christmas basket raffles were located in the historic Dr. Kersey G. Thomas House.

General parking was at the Marlboro Christian Church just west of the square, with shuttles provided by BusPro1.com Western Reserve Coach Sales, who also provided portable toilets. Some parking was available at the fire station for early arrivers.

MHTS set several sponsor levels to help put on the event. Tinsel sponsors, those that gave $500 or more, were Hall Public Safety Upfitters, Meijer, Richard Kobesic State Farm Insurance and MHTS member Dr. Dave Mungo. Dr. Mungo spent 30 years as a Civil War reenactor portraying the Sixth Ohio Cavalry. He takes every opportunity to educate the public on American history and has become a great addition to the MTHS board. 

He recently shared the following: “I’m excited to be a part of the Marlboro Township Historical Society. I found it to be a well-run organization worthy of support and admirable in its mission. My family and I have been residents for the last quarter century. We’ve grown to love our adopted home. We look forward to contributing to our community in this way.”

Local resident and tinsel sponsor Richard Kobasic of State Farm Agency lives just around the corner from the square. Kobasic shared that “Christmas in the Square” is his family’s most anticipated event of the year and that his boys love the snow machine.

Hall Public Safety was founded after seeing a need for a professional and experienced company to equip public safety vehicles. Hall Public Safety Upfitters is a leading installer of vehicle-related products and equipment. With more than 25 years of experience, Hall Public Safety delivers quality and experience on every job.

After Patrick Hughes bought a Meijer store in Alliance, he expressed excitement to impact the community through service in and out of the store. With Meijer’s tinsel-level sponsorship, MTHS was able to purchase trees to be decorated and auctioned off at the Christmas Tree Auction at the Christmas in the Square event.

Candy Cane sponsors, those that donated $250 to $500, were Buckeye Packaging, GamerBNB, Hagan Heating and Plumbing, Cheryl Mack, Marlboro Concrete, Marlboro Supply, Merry Lights, Royer Farms and Strouble Water Hauling. The Stroubles have been known in the area for the family’s farming operations, but Carl and Beth made their impact in 1997 when they started their trucking business with just one truck. As they grew, the pair purchased 30 acres from the Muckleys, which connects to the original Strouble farm. The family balanced the company while raising three sons, Cyle, Lucas and Allen. Cyle and Lucas would later take over the company in January 2025. 

When asked why the family chose to stay in Marlboro, a tearfully joyed Beth explained, “There’s no greater place to raise a family.” The company has since grown from one semi-truck to 10, utilizing dump and tankers to haul grain from area farmers, bulk deicing salt, gravel, sand, liquid fertilizer, machinery and bulk water for swimming pools and construction.

One of Marlboro’s longest-running businesses, Buckeye Packaging, was a sponsor. John Davis is the third generation of the Davis family to run the company since the 1940s. Grandfather Ford, a high school chemistry teacher, designed a machine to sort and package vegetables for local farmers in a little red barn. Since the company’s humble beginnings, they’ve grown to more than 100 employees working within a modern facility utilizing the latest industry innovations. 

Buckeye Packaging has remained firmly rooted in the Marlboro community and stated, “It’s an important part of our company, and is responsible for our primary asset, the dedicated work force. In fact, their average employee has been with them for over 18 years.”

Royer Farms’ Carol and Melvin Royer moved their dairy farm of 38 cows from Lake Township to Marlboro Township in 1962. They purchased a 160-acre worn-down farm with a run-down farmhouse that sat among unkept fields. Carol and Melvin were unsure of their task ahead, but their love and admiration of each other and their children provided strength and the desire to shape the farm into an outstanding dairy farm. Together they raised six children: Demie, Tim, Greg, Sandy, Dan and Joel. Today, Royer Farms milks 800 cows three times a day and farms 3,600 acres. The second and third generations manage the farm today: Tim, Dan and Joel, along with each of their sons, Dustin, Tyler and Cody. Many exceptional long-term employees also contribute. The American flag flies high over the Royer homestead as they remain devoted to their country and community. Royer Farms has been a proud supporter of Marlboro Township for many years.

Merry Lights is a one-of-a-kind drive-through holiday light show located in Marlboro Township at Cutty’s Sunset Camping Resort and is veteran-owned and operated. The business brings the season to life with more than a million synchronized LED lights, handcrafted displays and festive holiday music. It opened on Black Friday and runs nightly throughout the holiday season. Each display is built with local creativity and attention to detail and proudly supports local veteran organizations. This year, a portion of proceeds helps benefit Honor Home in Canton as well as Hero’s Ruck. Merry Lights has become a favorite tradition for families looking for an affordable and memorable holiday experience close to home.

Gingerbread-level sponsors, those that gave $100 to $250, were Candle’s Kitchen, Bob and Mary Frase, Carol McGirr and RLS Bookkeeping. RLS owner Jill Simm’s parents purchased a home on the square in 1964 and raised Jill and her three siblings there. Her father was a Marlington High School agriculture teacher and helped start the Future Farmers of America program. After her mother’s passing, Jill and her husband purchased and lived in the family home until 2019. Jill loves history and, by being a sponsor, is helping MTHS in its preservation efforts.

Tarter Realty was a major sponsor of Christmas in the Square. They shared their space in their Church Airbnb for the auction of the Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and individuals. Broker Shirley Ryan donated 500 Gardner pies to the community. The line was long as they were given out one per person until gone. They also provided a comfortable resting place for Santa during the event. All proceeds from the silent auction benefit MTHS.

The Dudley family has long-standing connections in Marlboro. Though their pizza shop is in Damascus, Marlboro is still home in many ways to the business and family. The company does a lot for its community. Monthly, they serve their church, Marlboro Christian, in feeding the youth, along with countless other acts of service and charitable giving. When asked why they are so generous, the Dudleys quickly responded, “Serving others and sharing Christ’s love through food is a joy for us, and supporting MTHS in this way feels like a natural extension of that calling.” They gave away 500 slices of pizza.

In December 2003, Kirk and Debbie Candle found themselves at an auction for the old Betty’s Restaurant building at the corner of Swamp Street and State Route 44. Debbie’s parents owned Bob’s Hamburger of Akron, and she hoped to one day run her own restaurant. On the day of the auction Debbie was unsure what the future held or if it was the right time to buy. Debbie recounted that she was raising children Jessica, Greg, Kevin and 6-month-old Eric. When she glanced over at her husband, she realized he was bidding — and had won. Twenty-two years later, Candle’s is a well-established restaurant in the community. They are open seven days a week, offering home-cooked meals and burgers the entire town raves about. Jennifer Smith and Karrie Eder have been with Candle’s for more than 20 years and are just two of the smiling faces alongside Debbie to greet you the next time you visit the beloved diner. They provided delicious soup at their tent.

Other sponsors not mentioned above include the following: Balloons with a Heart provided balloon animals; The Chapel in Marlboro provided live music, tattoos and a food truck; Dan Ginther was Santa; Good Shepherd Christian Academy provided candy canes; Gluten Free Homestead provided gluten-free treats; Ron and Patty Hafner portrayed Drs. Kersey and Eliza Thomas; Illusive Designs provided hot dogs; Marlboro Elementary School provided live music; Maize Valley Winery provided the stage; Marlboro Christian Church provided live music; Marlboro Collision provided pizza; Marlboro Towing provided donuts; the Duke Street Choir of MHS provided live music; Marlboro Supply provided candy; Marlboro Women’s Club provided glow sticks; New Baltimore Community Church provided live music; Sable Creek Golf Course provided cocoa and cookies; Brianna Schwind provided the snow machine; and Chad Werab provided portable toilets.